New to network:
Miamisburg High CHICAGO — School graduate Josh Myers has fit in well with the Ohio State Buckeyes, at least if this description by the veteran leader of the offensive line is any indication.
“His nickname’s Tommy,” said Ohio State fifth-year senior center Billy Price. “He’s a country boy. He’s country lovin’. We yell across the weight room, ‘Hey, Tommy boy,’ just having a good time.”
Price touched on the topic of Myers during a wide-rang- ing interview Monday, on the first day of Big Ten media days. Price, defensive end Tyquan Lewis, linebacker Chris Worley and coach Urban Meyer represented Ohio State at the event.
Myers, a tackle, was one of 10 recruits in the class of 2017 to enroll at Ohio State in January. Those four extra months in the program puts Myers a step ahead of other freshmen who arrived after graduating from high school in the spring.
“If he goes and puts it all out there at camp time, it’ll raise an eyebrow with coach Meyer,” Price said, “and if coach Meyer gives him the nod, then we’re going to go play some ball.”
Fairfield grad Josiah Scott, a true freshman at Michigan State, could start at cornerback.
“He’s a great athlete,” MSU linebacker Chris Frey said. “I think he surprised a lot of people this year. With the depth issue we had at cor- ner going into spring ball, that gave him an opportunity to make a name for himself, and he took full advantage of it. Going into fall camp, he might be our starter.”
Wayne grad Robert Landers made his debut with the Buckeyes in 2016 and was one of the most productive members on
Scott news: Landers update:
the defensive line, recording 7½ tackles for loss. Meyer expects more of the same in 2017 from Landers, now a redshirt sophomore.
“He’s just got to continue to mature,” Meyer said. “He’s kind of a big-play guy for us. He’s so quick off the ball. He’ll be a valuable member.”
The Big Ten announced a 10-man preseason all-conference team, with five from each division.
Two Buckeyes made the list: Lewis and quarterback J.T. Barrett. The others are Indiana linebacker Tegray Scales; Penn State running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Trace McSor- ley; Iowa linebacker Josey Jewell; Northwestern safety Godwin Igwebuike and run- ning back Justin Jackson; and Wisconsin linebacker Jack Cichy and tight end Troy Fumagalli.
Preseason team:
Former Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis will join the Big Ten Network as an analyst. Former Michigan receiver Braylon Edwards and for- mer Northwestern tight end Corey Wootton also will join the network.
Season opener:
New coach Tom Allen called the Aug. 31 game against Ohio State in Bloomington the biggest home opener in Indi- ana history. He downplayed the significance of Ohio State assistant Kevin Wilson, the former Indiana head coach, being on the other sideline.
“We haven’t had a con- ference opening game since 1982,” Allen said, “so that obviously makes it a very, very big game for us. The media is going to make a big deal about him being there and myself being here — offense versus defense. But it’s really bigger than that. It’s not about me or coaches; it’s about players making plays. It’s a tremendous motiva- tion to have that kind of a game to start your season and creates a tremendous sense of urgency.”